Tennessee Tech hosts statewide school psychology institute, highlighting faculty expertise and collaboration
Tennessee Tech University recently welcomed school psychology professionals from across the state as the host site for the Tennessee Association of School Psychologists (TASP) 2026 Spring Institute.
Held in Bell Hall on Tech’s campus, the daylong event brought together school psychologists, educators and graduate students for professional development centered on “Formulating Behavior Initiatives” and related topics in student mental health and behavior support. The institute offered both in-person and virtual sessions and was approved by the National Association of School Psychologists for continuing education credit.
The event was planned and coordinated by Daniel Upchurch, assistant professor of counseling and psychology at Tech, who helped bring the conference to campus.
“School psychology is a unique and invaluable field that requires a strong foundation in psychology, counseling and education,” said Upchurch. “As the demand for school psychologists continues to reach an all-time high, it is more important than ever to highlight and support this profession."
Upchurch added, "I was motivated to bring the state conference to Cookeville not only to showcase the beauty and academic excellence of Tennessee Tech, but also to provide our school psychology students with exposure to the profession and opportunities to connect with professionals from across the state.”
Participants engaged with a range of expert-led sessions designed to provide practical strategies and highlight emerging research in the field. Featured presenters included Krystal Kennedy, a Tech faculty member and assistant professor with expertise in applied behavior analysis and positive behavior supports, who co-led a session on behavior analysis in school settings.
Other conference sessions included a presentation highlighting two decades of progress in childhood obesity research, a speaker from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and additional experts addressing topics such as emerging drug trends and strategies for fostering prosocial behaviors.
The event underscored Tech’s role as a hub for collaboration and learning in psychology and education.
“This event provided an outstanding opportunity to showcase the strength of Tennessee Tech’s Department of Counseling and Psychology while welcoming colleagues from across the state to our campus,” said Michael Hoane, chair of the department. “We were proud to share our faculty’s expertise and give attendees a window into the impactful work happening here every day. At the same time, our faculty benefited from meaningful exchanges with peers, reinforcing that professional development is a two-way street.”
Hoane continued, “I’m especially grateful to Dr. Daniel Upchurch for his leadership in helping plan and coordinate this event. Under Dr. Upchurch’s leadership, our school psychology program is growing into one of the strongest in the state. As student needs continue to evolve, it is more important than ever that school psychologists have access to opportunities like this to stay equipped to support the mental health and well-being of children and young adults.”
Tech’s Department of Counseling and Psychology offers a Bachelor of Science in psychology, along with graduate programs in educational psychology and counselor education. Concentrations include educational psychology, clinical mental health counseling, case management and supervision, school counseling and school psychology.
Students in the department benefit from a range of engagement opportunities, including an active Psychology Club that hosts guest speakers, organizes academic field trips and attends regional and state conferences. Tech is also home to a chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.
The department additionally houses the Responder Health Lab, an on-campus center dedicated to supporting frontline emergency workers through research and applied services addressing issues such as cancer risk, cardiac health and suicide prevention among first responders.
TASP is a statewide professional organization that supports school psychologists working in K–12 settings across Tennessee. Through events like the Spring Institute and its annual fall conference, the organization promotes best practices, fosters collaboration and advocates for high-quality psychological services to ensure students statewide have access to the support they need to succeed.
Learn more about Tech’s Department of Counseling and Psychology at www.tntech.edu/education/cp.